More than 40 arrested in Arizona roundup targeting sex offenders

Officials arrested more than 40 people sought in connection with sex crimes during a monthlong operation in Arizona, the U.S. Marshals Service said Tuesday.

The sting, dubbed "Operation Safe Treat 2017," aimed to get suspected sex offenders, child predators with outstanding arrest warrants and those wanted for crimes against children off the streets, the agency said.

The operation led to the arrest of 41 people. Of those, 13 were charged with child molestation, 11 were charged with failing to register as a sex offender, eight were charged with sexual offenses/sexual assaults, five were charged with child neglect/abuse, three were charged with robbery/burglary and one was charged for a weapons offense, the agency said in a press release.

The agency said the goal of the operation was to "ensure that the season's celebrations remain a safe and enjoyable holiday for our children by apprehending fugitive sex offenders," and credited efforts of state and local law enforcement in making the Arizona operation successful.

The statement said law-enforcement personnel worked with probation officers in Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma to conduct compliance checks and ensure that supervised sex offenders did not participating in any Halloween activities.